The three-point line and the slam dunk has been a major influence on many of today's young players. They have also set the offense limitations that many players possess as they become high school and collegiate players. While attending a high school game this season, I realized that most players do not understand how to create and make a mid-range shot.
The three-point line was implemented into high school basketball the year after I graduated from Thornwood High School in South Holland, Illinois. We were taught daily in practice to catch in triple threat, read the defender's feet, create space by attacking the outside shoulder, take one or two hard power dribbles and pull up for a 12 to 15 foot jump shot. Our perimeter offense was based on screens and back cuts but when you caught the basketball on the wing, you were supposed to look to attack your defender. This translated to the college level when I played at Chattanooga. Even though the three-point line was in play, we were taught not to settle. Our coaches would repeatedly tell us, "Don't let your defender off of the hook, attack him and force him to play you." Looking for the mid-range jump shot will also cause the defender to commit fouls to stop an effective shooter. The result of the defender fouling the offensive player is a trip to the free-throw line. I was never a three-point shooter but scored three-point baskets by making the two point shot a drawing a foul on my defender. I would go to the free-throw line to complete the three-point play.
Mid-range shooting has to be practiced and taught. The easiest way for a player to master becoming a solid mid-range shooter is to shoot the ball for 12 to 15 feet at game speed. The player should work out of five spots on the floor: left and right corner, left and right wing and the top of the key. Start out of triple-threat position facing the basket. Pump fake the basketball with a jab step toward the basket, (keep your pivot foot down) take one or two hard power dribbles to get into the 12 to 15 foot range for a jump shot. You should MAKE 20 shots from all five spots. (Total of 100 shots)
Remember, without hard work there are no results. The mid-range shot can be the difference in a player being an real scoring threat or an average offensive player. It will help your point production and give you an opportunity to help you team.
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
March Madness- "Ready or not, it's here!"
All college basketball fans know that March Madness has begun. I was given my cue last night while watching the College of Charleston vs. Chattanooga for the Southern Conference Championship. Chattanooga defeated College of Charleston to win the SouCon championship. The last conference championship was won by the Chattanooga Mocs in 2005.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is my Alma mater and where I played collegiate basketball from 1987-1991. I was fortunate to receive an athletic scholarship and win a conference championship in during my freshman season which was 1987-88. We played Marshall University in the Sou Con Championship and went on to the NCAA tournament to play in Atlanta in the first round. Our bracket was Bradley, Auburn, Oklahoma and Chattanooga. I watched Bradley's standout and former NBA player, Hersey Hawkins score 44 points vs. Auburn in a defeat! Hersey had 31 points in the first half and 13 in the second. It was an amazing game.
Chattanooga played Oklahoma in the first round. Oklahoma's starting lineup had three NBA basketball players: Mookie Blaylock, Harvey Grant and current Chicago Bulls TV color commentator, Stacey King. At halftime, the score was 48-44 Oklahoma! They had been scoring 100 points all season and blowing teams out. Oklahoma ended up defeating us by a 12 point margin but we played a great game. It was an experience that I will always cherish and never forget.
Congratulations to my Chattanooga Mocs for making the 2009 tournament and best of luck in the tournament! The Mocs pride continues to run deep...Let the games begin!
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is my Alma mater and where I played collegiate basketball from 1987-1991. I was fortunate to receive an athletic scholarship and win a conference championship in during my freshman season which was 1987-88. We played Marshall University in the Sou Con Championship and went on to the NCAA tournament to play in Atlanta in the first round. Our bracket was Bradley, Auburn, Oklahoma and Chattanooga. I watched Bradley's standout and former NBA player, Hersey Hawkins score 44 points vs. Auburn in a defeat! Hersey had 31 points in the first half and 13 in the second. It was an amazing game.
Chattanooga played Oklahoma in the first round. Oklahoma's starting lineup had three NBA basketball players: Mookie Blaylock, Harvey Grant and current Chicago Bulls TV color commentator, Stacey King. At halftime, the score was 48-44 Oklahoma! They had been scoring 100 points all season and blowing teams out. Oklahoma ended up defeating us by a 12 point margin but we played a great game. It was an experience that I will always cherish and never forget.
Congratulations to my Chattanooga Mocs for making the 2009 tournament and best of luck in the tournament! The Mocs pride continues to run deep...Let the games begin!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Johnny "Red" Kerr- the man, the myth, the legend.
I am writing today's blog with a very heavy heart. While I was writing last Thursday's blog about Norm Van Lier, Johnny "Red" Kerr was passing through this basketball life to basketball heaven. It is ironic that both men passed away on the same day and the impact it has left on the basketball world and Chicago is tremendous.
Johnny "Red" Kerr was a basketball legend. Most people knew him as a University of Illinois basketball standout, three time NBA all-star that played in the same conference as George Mikan and Wilt Chamberlain, first Chicago Bulls head coach and legendary Chicago Bulls broadcaster. As the Chicago Tribune's Chicago Bulls sports writer Sam Smith wrote, "Johnny "Red" Kerr was the original iron man." He packed his lunch pale and went to work every single day like most Chicagoans do.
My connections with Johnny "Red' Kerr were through working for the Chicago Bulls. I was the Coordinator of Player Marketing for the Chicago Bulls and I handled the appearance and endorsement opportunities for the current and former basketball players. Mr "Red" (is how I referred to him) was the MC for a Chevrolet event for the Chicago Bulls top draft pick, Elton Brand. It was Elton's rookie season and Chevrolet had offered him and the Bulls the same endorsement deal that Michael Jordan received as a rookie. Ironically, it was a Scottish holiday and Mr. "Red" made sure that everyone knew it. Mr. "Red" wore a kilt and a hat to represent his Scottish heritage. A six foot ten inch man with a kilt on! He asked me had I seen better legs on a 6"10 guy and I quickly said no. Mr."Red said that he knew he didn't have pretty legs but didn't care. He was not trying to please us anyway! We had a ball laughing with Mr. "Red" that day. I also found out that Mr. "Red' was a south sider and grew up on 67th and Racine. He went to Tilden High School, which had rich basketball tradition that Mr. "Red helped create. He was and remained true to his roots that carried through his playing days and broadcast career.
I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to work with and know Johnny "Red" Kerr. He is Chicago Bulls basketball and I will miss him dearly. He is the grandfather of Chicago Bulls basketball and a cornerstone of the NBA. Mr. "Red" and "Stormin" Norman are looking down from basketball heaven rooting the Bulls on forever!!!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Johnny "Red" Kerr was a basketball legend. Most people knew him as a University of Illinois basketball standout, three time NBA all-star that played in the same conference as George Mikan and Wilt Chamberlain, first Chicago Bulls head coach and legendary Chicago Bulls broadcaster. As the Chicago Tribune's Chicago Bulls sports writer Sam Smith wrote, "Johnny "Red" Kerr was the original iron man." He packed his lunch pale and went to work every single day like most Chicagoans do.
My connections with Johnny "Red' Kerr were through working for the Chicago Bulls. I was the Coordinator of Player Marketing for the Chicago Bulls and I handled the appearance and endorsement opportunities for the current and former basketball players. Mr "Red" (is how I referred to him) was the MC for a Chevrolet event for the Chicago Bulls top draft pick, Elton Brand. It was Elton's rookie season and Chevrolet had offered him and the Bulls the same endorsement deal that Michael Jordan received as a rookie. Ironically, it was a Scottish holiday and Mr. "Red" made sure that everyone knew it. Mr. "Red" wore a kilt and a hat to represent his Scottish heritage. A six foot ten inch man with a kilt on! He asked me had I seen better legs on a 6"10 guy and I quickly said no. Mr."Red said that he knew he didn't have pretty legs but didn't care. He was not trying to please us anyway! We had a ball laughing with Mr. "Red" that day. I also found out that Mr. "Red' was a south sider and grew up on 67th and Racine. He went to Tilden High School, which had rich basketball tradition that Mr. "Red helped create. He was and remained true to his roots that carried through his playing days and broadcast career.
I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to work with and know Johnny "Red" Kerr. He is Chicago Bulls basketball and I will miss him dearly. He is the grandfather of Chicago Bulls basketball and a cornerstone of the NBA. Mr. "Red" and "Stormin" Norman are looking down from basketball heaven rooting the Bulls on forever!!!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Thursday, February 26, 2009
"48 Minutes of Intensity"- A tribute to Norm Van Lier"
The Chicago sports world lost a great man today. Former Bulls great and Comcast Sports Net Bulls commentator Norm Van Lier passed away at the age of 61. Norm's nickname was "Stormin" Norman and he lived up to it as a player. Norm was a feisty point guard who was always mixing it up and diving for loose balls on the court. He was a solid play maker and managed to maintain double-figure scoring seven of the ten years he played in the NBA. Norm's "intensity" on defense was the attribute that set him apart and made him a three-time All-Star as well.
I was fortunate to work with Norm Van Lier at Sports Channel (Comcast Sports Net) and the Chicago Bulls. I also considered Norm as a basketball mentor and friend. Norm lived his life with "intensity" and was not afraid to share his point of view on Chicago Bulls basketball. His wealth of basketball knowledge gave him the permission to speak his mind about whomever and however he chose. Norm wanted today's basketball player to understand that playing hard every practice and game is mandatory. He would point out the players that did not do it and hold them accountable to adjust it. He was "old school" and there are not enough people that share his philosophy. Norm also was one of my celebrity guests at the grand opening of our Schamburg Bulls basketball programs at the Schaumburg Sports Center and a host of other Chicago Bulls sponsored events throughout the years.
I had the pleasure of being coached by Norm in a pre-game scrimmage at the United Center a couple of years ago. Norm was intense as a coach and pushed our team to play hard even though it was a scrimmage. He gave me a compliment about the way I played defense. This was a surreal moment for me because I grew up emulating Norm! I truly appreciated it because the compliment came from Norm Van Lier. I grew up and am currently a die-hard Chicago Bulls fan and watched "Stormin" Norman when I was a little guy. My godfather, Flynn Robinson, was a Chicago Bull for about a year with Norm Van Lier. Flynn was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and there was no cable TV at that time to watch my godfather play. Even though he was my godfather, my dad's rule was that we pulled for home team anyway. My formal basketball years were then developed watching Norm and his backcourt mate, Jerry Sloan play for the Chicago Bulls. The were both as tough as nails and arguably one of the best backcourt tandems ever in the NBA. They played tenacious defense and made it hard on their opponents at all times. I grew trying to emulate Norm's style of play.
As youth, grade and high school coaches, it is important to demand your players to play hard every practice and game. They will appreciate you for it and will maximize their opportunities on the basketball court in the future. There is no substitute for players giving "48 minutes of intensity" or however many minutes of "intensity" you play at your game level. Players, give your best effort at ALL times. Don't ever let it be a question about your desire and will to play the game of basketball!
"Goodbye Norm! I am going to do my part in carrying on your basketball philosophy!!!"
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
I was fortunate to work with Norm Van Lier at Sports Channel (Comcast Sports Net) and the Chicago Bulls. I also considered Norm as a basketball mentor and friend. Norm lived his life with "intensity" and was not afraid to share his point of view on Chicago Bulls basketball. His wealth of basketball knowledge gave him the permission to speak his mind about whomever and however he chose. Norm wanted today's basketball player to understand that playing hard every practice and game is mandatory. He would point out the players that did not do it and hold them accountable to adjust it. He was "old school" and there are not enough people that share his philosophy. Norm also was one of my celebrity guests at the grand opening of our Schamburg Bulls basketball programs at the Schaumburg Sports Center and a host of other Chicago Bulls sponsored events throughout the years.
I had the pleasure of being coached by Norm in a pre-game scrimmage at the United Center a couple of years ago. Norm was intense as a coach and pushed our team to play hard even though it was a scrimmage. He gave me a compliment about the way I played defense. This was a surreal moment for me because I grew up emulating Norm! I truly appreciated it because the compliment came from Norm Van Lier. I grew up and am currently a die-hard Chicago Bulls fan and watched "Stormin" Norman when I was a little guy. My godfather, Flynn Robinson, was a Chicago Bull for about a year with Norm Van Lier. Flynn was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and there was no cable TV at that time to watch my godfather play. Even though he was my godfather, my dad's rule was that we pulled for home team anyway. My formal basketball years were then developed watching Norm and his backcourt mate, Jerry Sloan play for the Chicago Bulls. The were both as tough as nails and arguably one of the best backcourt tandems ever in the NBA. They played tenacious defense and made it hard on their opponents at all times. I grew trying to emulate Norm's style of play.
As youth, grade and high school coaches, it is important to demand your players to play hard every practice and game. They will appreciate you for it and will maximize their opportunities on the basketball court in the future. There is no substitute for players giving "48 minutes of intensity" or however many minutes of "intensity" you play at your game level. Players, give your best effort at ALL times. Don't ever let it be a question about your desire and will to play the game of basketball!
"Goodbye Norm! I am going to do my part in carrying on your basketball philosophy!!!"
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Pick and Roll- the most efficient offensive play in basketball
The Pick and Roll is one of the oldest, but most effective offensive plays in basketball. John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, ran the pick and roll to perfection. They are both future Hall of Fame basketball players and two of the 50 Greatest Players to ever play in the NBA. The Pick and Roll was the primary source of offense and gave both players scoring opportunities that opposing players had difficulty defending.
The "ball handler" dribbles the basketball toward the "screener" for the pick to be set. The "ball handler" has to utilize the pick by coming directly off of the "screener's" shoulder, making sure there is no space for the defender to slide through. If the defender is able to slide through the pick, the pick and roll immediately breaks down.
The "ball handler" proceed to dribble off of the "screener's" shoulder towards the basket. The "screener" then seals the defender on his outside hip and "rolls" towards the basket with his or her outside hand up for the pass. The "ball handler" has to make the decision to pass the basketball to the "screener" if he or she is open. If the "screener" is not open for the pass then the jump shot should be open for the "ball handler."
This is a simple play coaches can run at the youth and high school levels to get player open layups and jump shots. Remember, keep the game simple and players will execute!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
The "ball handler" dribbles the basketball toward the "screener" for the pick to be set. The "ball handler" has to utilize the pick by coming directly off of the "screener's" shoulder, making sure there is no space for the defender to slide through. If the defender is able to slide through the pick, the pick and roll immediately breaks down.
The "ball handler" proceed to dribble off of the "screener's" shoulder towards the basket. The "screener" then seals the defender on his outside hip and "rolls" towards the basket with his or her outside hand up for the pass. The "ball handler" has to make the decision to pass the basketball to the "screener" if he or she is open. If the "screener" is not open for the pass then the jump shot should be open for the "ball handler."
This is a simple play coaches can run at the youth and high school levels to get player open layups and jump shots. Remember, keep the game simple and players will execute!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
"Shooting the Rock with Barack- Part 2
This past Sunday, I was granted the opportunity to play basketball with the President of the United States, Barack Obama. I was on a short list of guys that President Obama requested to play with and while he was in Chicago and I was honored to join him.
We met at 10:30am and secret service people were everywhere. There were police setting barricades and helicopters flying around to secure the location for the president's arrival. President Obama arrived at 11:00am sharp with his Chicago White Sox hat on looking like a "true" south sider! He greeted everyone personally and proceeded to get ready to play basketball!
The teams were split and there were four groups of players. President Obama and I were not on the same team this time though. He and I started out playing on different courts and we both won our games. We would play against each other in the second game because both of our teams won in the first games.
We began playing the second game against the President's squad and it was tight! President Obama scored the first three baskets for his team. (A jump shot and two layups) We were down 3-1 early in the game. Our teams battled defensively through the game and that limited the open scoring opportunities for everyone. The score of the game was 10-10 and game point was 11. I brought the ball up the court on the dribble and passed it inside to my teammate for a layup which was blocked. The President's squad drove the ball down the floor and turned the ball over to one of my teammates. My teammate proceeded to throw me the ball as I ran toward our basket. I caught the basketball and dribbled it as my defender dropped back to defend the basket. I stopped and pulled up for a 19 foot jump shot and hit the bottom of the net! We beat the President's team by one basket! President Obama was one of the first people to congratulate me on making the shot. He also was fired up at his teammate for giving me an open look at the basket. President Obama called me the "bionic man" because I wear a knee brace due to my chronic knee problems. I thought it was hilarious and everyone shared in the laughter when he said it.
When we finished playing, President Obama thanked everyone for attending and told us he looked forward to playing with us again soon. We all thanked him as well. One of the the guys yelled to the President, "When will you fly us out to D.C. to play at Camp David?" President Obama replied, " It may be sooner than you think."
Stay tuned........
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
We met at 10:30am and secret service people were everywhere. There were police setting barricades and helicopters flying around to secure the location for the president's arrival. President Obama arrived at 11:00am sharp with his Chicago White Sox hat on looking like a "true" south sider! He greeted everyone personally and proceeded to get ready to play basketball!
The teams were split and there were four groups of players. President Obama and I were not on the same team this time though. He and I started out playing on different courts and we both won our games. We would play against each other in the second game because both of our teams won in the first games.
We began playing the second game against the President's squad and it was tight! President Obama scored the first three baskets for his team. (A jump shot and two layups) We were down 3-1 early in the game. Our teams battled defensively through the game and that limited the open scoring opportunities for everyone. The score of the game was 10-10 and game point was 11. I brought the ball up the court on the dribble and passed it inside to my teammate for a layup which was blocked. The President's squad drove the ball down the floor and turned the ball over to one of my teammates. My teammate proceeded to throw me the ball as I ran toward our basket. I caught the basketball and dribbled it as my defender dropped back to defend the basket. I stopped and pulled up for a 19 foot jump shot and hit the bottom of the net! We beat the President's team by one basket! President Obama was one of the first people to congratulate me on making the shot. He also was fired up at his teammate for giving me an open look at the basket. President Obama called me the "bionic man" because I wear a knee brace due to my chronic knee problems. I thought it was hilarious and everyone shared in the laughter when he said it.
When we finished playing, President Obama thanked everyone for attending and told us he looked forward to playing with us again soon. We all thanked him as well. One of the the guys yelled to the President, "When will you fly us out to D.C. to play at Camp David?" President Obama replied, " It may be sooner than you think."
Stay tuned........
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sportsmanship- another key to success
Sportsmanship in youth sports is not being stressed enough. It is an important ingredient in the development of an athlete. There are a number of talented athletes playing sports but you hear stories about the lack of character and discipline that some athletes fail to possess. It is very unfortunate because they probably did not have a coach that stressed to the athlete the importance of having a good attitude and being coachable.
Basketball coaches should stress sportsmanship for the youth basketball player to make them accountable for their actions. It should not matter how much talent a player has in regard to making the player adhere to rules and have a positive attitude. Children look to adults for discipline no matter what the may say or do. As coaches, it is our job to give them a solid foundation so they can succeed on the basketball court and in life.
A basketball player's attitude can and will determine their altitude! Don't let your basketball players sell themselves short. Make sure they are conducting themselves properly on and off the court!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Basketball coaches should stress sportsmanship for the youth basketball player to make them accountable for their actions. It should not matter how much talent a player has in regard to making the player adhere to rules and have a positive attitude. Children look to adults for discipline no matter what the may say or do. As coaches, it is our job to give them a solid foundation so they can succeed on the basketball court and in life.
A basketball player's attitude can and will determine their altitude! Don't let your basketball players sell themselves short. Make sure they are conducting themselves properly on and off the court!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
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